Liphook United Celebrates

Youth and Mini Soccer Presentation Evening 2013

Liphook United Football Club players, parents, friends and management gathered on Saturday 25 May at The Millennium Centre, Liphook for a celebration of the achievements of its youth and mini soccer players.

Liphook United FC Presentation Evening

Liphook United Chairman, Steve Davis, welcomed everyone to the presentation evening and highlighted the success of the Liphook United FC Annual Summer Tournament the previous weekend. Everyone in the Club was involved in delivering our largest tournament ever, with 122 teams enjoying football in 10 age groups, and boosting our funds. It was a great weekend! Steve thanked John Raeyen our Tournament Coordinator and everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes to make this year's tournament a huge success.

This season, he said, the Club has seen a number of changes, including a new Chairman and Vice-Chairman, and the first of the FA's child-friendly football measures such as 9 v 9 football and smaller team sizes in certain age groups. 17 youth and mini soccer teams with over 250 youngsters have been training and playing in non-competitive and competitive matches, although the weather this year resulted in a lot of postponed matches and the extension of the season.

Liphook United FC Presentation Evening Audience

For each team in turn, the team manager gave a report of their accomplishments whilst photographs of their teams and players in action were projected on to the massive screen behind. The Chairman then presented each player, to great applause, with an individual medal or trophy for their hard work and dedication to the Club over the season.

Typically based upon performance and/or votes, specific players were then called upon to receive awards from the Chairman: Player of the Year, Sportsman of the Year and Most Improved Player. Following a photo session (see below), it was then the turn of the manager, coach or administrator to receive a presentation of a declicious grape drink in thanks for their work on behalf of the Club.

Also during the evening, a special award was made by the Chairman for outstanding service to Liphook United Football Club. The award is shared between Mark 'Willow' Morton, the mainstay of everything in senior football this season whether it be admin, management, collecting funds, or being linesman, and John Raeyen, who not only managed his Under 14s team this season but also agreed to his third stint as King of the Liphook Tournament. Unfortunately 'Willow' could not be present, but the Chairman's Shield was presented to John Raeyen.

Steve Davis presents the Chairman's Shield to John Raeyen for outstanding service to the Club

Here are some photos of our teams with their medals and trophies, and the award winners. Select the age group you want from the sidebar.

Under 10s

Under 10 Cobras

Under 10 Cobras with their manager, Pierre Giammalva, and assistant manager, Adie Locke

Sportsman of the Year

Most Improved Player

Player of the Year

Under 10 Vipers

Under 10 Vipers with their manager, Mark Culverhouse

Sportsman of the Year

Most Improved Player

Player of the Year

Under 11s

Under 11 Dragons

Under 11 Dragons with their manager, Steve Davis

Not present

Sportsman of the Year

Most Improved Player

Player of the Year

Under 11 Crusaders

Under 11 Crusaders with their manager, Mark Angear, and goalkeeper coach, Paul Lucas

Sportsman of the Year

Most Improved Player

Player of the Year

Under 12s

Under 12 Meerkats

Under 12 Meerkats with their manager, Neil Walters, and coach Liam Bray